When Jessica agrees to help preserve a historic brownstone, she winds up trying to clear her editor of the murder of an opposing developer.When Jessica agrees to help preserve a historic brownstone, she winds up trying to clear her editor of the murder of an opposing developer.When Jessica agrees to help preserve a historic brownstone, she winds up trying to clear her editor of the murder of an opposing developer.
Photos
- NYPD Lieutenant Artie Gelber
- (as Herbert Edelman)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe title is based on the 1940 novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Ernest Hemingway about a group of anti-fascist guerrillas during the Spanish Civil War. This is especially notable because, when Angela Lansbury and guest stars Jeff Conaway and Barbara Babcock are discussing the famous former residents of a building up for demolition, Angela (as Jessica Fletcher) mentioned that Ernest Hemingway once lived on the building's top floor.
- GoofsA man and his wife see a man in a chair that's turned away from them. The husband walks around the desk and turns the chair 90 degrees to see that the man has been shot. The wife gasps, but she couldn't see that from where she's standing.
- Quotes
[last lines]
NYPD Lieutenant Artie Gelber: And have I got good news for you.
Jessica Fletcher: You mean about Margaret being elected head of the Committee?
NYPD Lieutenant Artie Gelber: Better. My grandson, Josh. We decided against the Wee School. The kid's too smart for them anyway. Instead, he's gonna be in a weekend program for one-year-olds in Central Park.
Jessica Fletcher: Great. Isn't it wonderful that the city has such a program?
NYPD Lieutenant Artie Gelber: What city? Doris decided she and I are gonna take Josh and the kids. Yes.
- ConnectionsReferences For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
When it comes to Season 10 episodes (it's only the second episode of the season and it's already a much higher standard than the very shaky start Season 9 had), "For Whom the Ball Tolls" in terms of the guest cast and the entertainment value is towards the top. Its mystery generally is a good one where one believes one thing initially and then it's revealed cleverly that it was something completely different. There's not a whole lot wrong really, though for my taste while the identity of the killer was surprising the denouement was a little vague and not as clear as it could have been.
Angela Lansbury is spot on as Jessica, as is Herb Edelman. Their chemistry is both tense and charming. The acting is well done with no real weak links, even Jeff Conaway is not bad (he was in his Howard Griffin appearances). Barbara Babcock, Hallie Foote, Robert Pine and Kevin Kilner are particularly strong and just seeing the cast having a good time is reason enough to see the episode. Ray Abruzzo and Susan Walters hold their own too amongst the large group of recurring guest stars.
The mystery, as aforementioned, is very nicely done despite reservations for the ending. It's not a dull one and it's neither simplistic or confusing.
Production values are slick and stylish and the setting and scenery looks beautiful. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune. Writing is thoughtful and amiable.
In conclusion, well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 9, 2017